Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Mid-October Sock Report...and a gimmicky blog anniversary contest!

It is sock WIPs as far as the eye can see around this joint. From the top, left to right: Monkeys in STR 'Spacedust', Jaywalkers in LL 'Grumperina', Canal du Midi in STR 'Nyame', Blueberry Waffles in STR 'Lagoon', a sock that I can't identify and Nutkins in Jitterbug 'Wasabi Squeeze'. Apparently I am very fond of the casting on part...but you might notice that all of the above socks are in a state of not-finishedness. And guess what? I am tired of pretending to feel bad about it. I've decided that knitting over 40 means doing whatever the hell you want and not deceiving yourself about it--so no more hand wringing for me. I'm leaving that to my better half who is experiencing a kind of dystopian bliss (but mixed with horror,too) at the current state of the economy. His entire world view has been confirmed! Oh shit . . .

My contribution to Socktoberfest is not a viral hit sock pattern (I don't have the genius skills for such an endeavor) nor is it some super-impressive output of really hard, Yarnissima socks (I bow to her acumen). No, my contribution is a gimmicky contest in honor of a. my blog anniversary--3 years of hootin' and hollerin'--and b. my love of sock yarn. Of all the yarns it's hands down my favorite to hoard buy. It's relatively inexpensive, comes in enticingly perfect amounts and for these reasons, I have way too much of it. So my over-acquisitiveness is your potential gain. Above you see some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Argyle (left) and Koigu KPPPM (right). Just leave a little comment here and tell me which one you want, and the random number generator Peeper-Lou will choose two winners, probably based on the sound of your name, on Monday.

Those are seriously fun looking socks and sock yarn. I agree about the fact that the yarn is relatively inexpensive. I've been trying to convince people that I'm not REALLY a sock knitter but my budget makes me one because, well, I can't afford enough yarn for a sweater or some such thing...

Or maybe socks are awesome. Who knows? Happy blogiversary! I would take that Koigu off your hands if need be.

Thank you for this post. I've been doing a lot of casting on lately and feeling a bit guilty about it, but not anymore. Too bad I don't have any sock yarn that doesn't already have a planned project, or I think I would cast on for some Monkeys right away. Come to think of it, I think the Koigu would be perfect for them. :)

Happy blogiversary! You have some gorgeous socks in the works -- esp. those Monkeys. I've realized that I only like knitting sock legs. Not the heels or feet, just the legs. Maybe I should switch to legwarmers?

My stash would be very pleased to welcome that beautiful Koigu to the fold.

Congrats on 3 years!! And if it makes you feel any better I currently have 21 socks completed and waiting for partners, 3 pairs needing ends woven in and 8 WIP socks on needles - SAD!!! I would love the Koigu as I ahve recently developed an affection for yellow after disliking it for years :o)

Blog contests are fun! I love your blog, even though I don't comment very often (I'm lame). Nothing gets me out of the woodwork like a bribe though! I like both your sock yarns but I really love koigu socks so I'm hoping for that. :)Enjoy your s(ock).i.p's!

Happy blog anniversary! I do so <3 your blog and y'alls's worldview. I also know "y'alls's" is no kind of word but whatev. I also like both types of yarns displayed, but wouldn't that Koigu go great with my accidental Koigu stash?

Also: I am no stranger to cast-onitis, but oddly, I don't have second sock syndrome (usually) or a multitude of socks in progress. I do have one, a mate to a sock whose original mate had to be disposed of as it was a fuzzy blue moth habitat, which I am eventually going to finish--probably when it gets too cold to ride my bike to work this winter.

happy blogiversary! thanks for making me nearly piss myself in bouts of laughter every time i read one of your posts. i mean that in a good way!i had some str in spacedust before. if i had known it would look so great in the monkey pattern, i wouldn't have traded it. dammit!

Happy Bloggy-versary! Its amazing how fast time flies. I love, love, love the yarn that your using for your mystery sock. Fantastic yellow. Can I say that I want both yarns? Ok, if I have to pick one it would be the kpppm yellow seems to be calling my name lately. Peeper-Lou, Amanda Cathleen has a nice ring to it, right? ; )

Congrats on your blogiversary...ya do just great!I want...err...*NEED* that LL Argyle! Just love it! Passed on it when I saw it in a shop (just on guilt when gas prices really went up) and have regretted it since! Pick me!

Love your blog! I drove through Holidaysburg on many a trip to IUP!I have relatives that reside in the Holidaysburg area too!I love all of your photos of cowls, and can relate to the farm show musings! We have a small ag fair here every year, but no entries from me this year.Love that Koigu - but just wanted to say congrats on 3 years!

Happy Bloggiversary! I totally <333 that LL in argyle. And don't worry about the WIP socks; I think you and I are of the same mind with projects like that .. "Oh, that looks neats... I'll cast on!... Oooo.. that looks neat and ... SHINY!!!"

I'm 45 on Saturday, and I like your idea of knitting what the heck I want after 40 and not feeling bad about it :-) I still have Christmas gifts to knit though... bummer!I would love a chance to try the Koigu, I've never knit with it, actually I'd take either, I've never knit with Lorna's Lace either (if I should win, that is).Happy Bloggiversary!

My WIP guilt is driven by the worry that I will die and leave all these ufo's for my family to deal with. They would run out of band-aids from sorting through and getting poked by sharp knitting needles...

I can't believe it is ONLY 3 years. It seems like forever. In a good way. Personally, I covet the citrus-y Koigu.

Hearty congrats on the blogiversary. May there be many more. Thanks for the offer of the beautiful yarn - I love me some sock yarn too. I would love either, but am particularly partial to the Lorna's Laces. Congrats again and thanks so much!

Don't enter me for the contest. I do enough sock yarn hoarding on my own--you need not try to add to the fray. Congrats on the three years of blogging. You are one of my favorite knitbloggers and your posts always brighten my mood. Happy happy!

sock yarn is my favorite as well! and i don't even knit socks. i love it for cowls and scarves and gloves. i couldn't resist de-lurking for a chance at either of these lovely yarns. that lorna's laces is just too pretty. happy blogiversary! i've been enjoying reading since i stumbled here about a year ago (via ravelry).allison

Happy 3 year blog anniversary. I am new to your site via someone else's blog and I love reading your entries. I was laughing out loud from your previous entry about your blue ribbon. Congratulations!!! I would have done the same. If I do win the drawing, I think I like the bright color of your Koigu yarn.

Your socks in progress are impressive, I've only got 2 pairs on the needles, well 2 if I count the Anniversay Socks I kinda abandoned a while back... but that's all the needles I have for socks. I'd need to buy more needles to start more socks... (I'm sure that'll happen soon...)

I just wanted to let you know I nominated you for a blog award (and I love your prize winning hat - it's gorgeous, congrats!), but... if I must, I'll say the KPPPM, because it looks like ducklings splashing about in a pond. Happy Socktoberfest!

Ooo, Koigu. You inspire me to make more socks. But I already have two pair on the needles. I save the koigu for baby socks that I give away to mothers with newborns and expectant mothers. I use Miriam Felton's Infant to Toddler Sized Socks pattern because I think it makes perfect baby socks (and because I have it memorized). Thanks for having the contest and Happy Blogiversary!

Looking over your beautiful projects this morning on ravelry looking for ideas on what to knit in the car to and from Rhinebeck tomorrow, I discovered your website. It's a pleasure to find you. Your husband sounds like mine.

Happy blogiversary and congrats on your blue ribbon. It is fun to return to the fair and see if you've been awarded ribbons. One year at our county fair, a pair of socks knit from self-striping yarn won Best in Show, with a note on the tag asking 'how did you do that?' Very disheartening ;-)Anyway...I've never tried Lorna's Laces so if I win, that's my choice.Thanks for a fun blog.

Happy happy happy blogiversary! And I totally relate on the UFOs - so much fun to start socks. Finishing them? Well, that's another story. They get finished when they get finished, and that's it. :)Sock on!

Ok, so I'm uber behind in my blog reads, but I just wanted to wish a belated Happy Bloggiversary!! You know what's cool? Mine is the day before yours :) Though I can't say mine's as kick ass as yours. But at least I get a little pride out of the association, kinda like when you find out someone famous is born on your same birthday!